Mrs. Yuki Gambaryan, the spouse of Tigran Gambaryan, a high-ranking executive of the global cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, has sought the assistance of the United States government. Her husband’s prolonged detention by Nigerian authorities has spurred this urgent call for intervention. Yuki Gambaryan’s appeal was directed towards US Senator Cory Booker and Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, who recently visited President Bola Tinubu as part of a delegation at the Nigerian State House.
The situation surrounding Tigran Gambaryan’s detainment has raised concerns about the legal proceedings and the Nigerian government’s approach towards foreign nationals and corporate entities operating within its jurisdiction. According to Mrs. Gambaryan’s statement to the press, her husband has been held for over a month without formal charges being filed against him. Subsequently, when charges were brought forth, they pertained not to any specific crimes committed by Gambaryan himself but were linked to the alleged actions of his employer, Binance, thus suggesting a tactic of leveraging his detention in negotiations with the company.
Expressing her distress and the impact of this ordeal on her family, Yuki Gambaryan implored the visiting US legislators to advocate for her husband’s release and to encourage the Nigerian authorities to pursue their inquiries directly with Binance, adhering to international standards of diplomatic and legal conduct.
Tigran Gambaryan’s case has already moved through the Nigerian legal system, with a lawsuit filed against the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, and the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The suit, initiated by Gambaryan through his legal representation, challenges the basis of his detention and alleges violations of his fundamental human rights as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution.
Additionally, this incident has spotlighted the precarious situation of another Binance executive, Nadeem Anjarwalla, Binance’s Africa regional manager, who managed to escape custody on March 22 after being detained alongside Gambaryan on charges related to financial misconduct and other allegations. The escape has further complicated the legal and diplomatic scenario, prompting the NSA to issue a confirmation of Anjarwalla’s escape and potentially straining Nigeria’s relations with the international business community.
This appeal for US intervention underscores the complexities of international law, diplomacy, and the global nature of the cryptocurrency industry. It also highlights the challenges faced by multinational corporations operating in jurisdictions with differing legal standards and practices. As the situation unfolds, the international community watches closely, awaiting the Nigerian government’s response to this plea for fairness, justice, and adherence to international norms in resolving the cases of Tigran Gambaryan and his colleague, Nadeem Anjarwalla.
